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Central Indiana high schools selling naming rights to athletic fields as a way to raise money

Posted at 6:15 PM, Aug 23, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-23 18:16:17-04

AVON, Ind. -- More Central Indiana high schools are turning to the sale of naming rights as a way to raise money including Avon, which named its high school athletic complex after Andy Mohr on Tuesday.

The ten-year agreement gives Andy Mohr Automotive Group exclusive naming rights to Avon's athletic complex, its gymnasium, aquatic center and fieldhouse.

In exchange, the Avon school district will be given six vehicles they can raffle off and bring in what they hope is a million dollars in the process.

Other schools making similar deals include Westfield which got $1.2 million from Riverview Health to help build their new football field in exchange for naming rights.

Zionsville has the St. Vincent Health Stadium, Brownsburg has the CF Rourke Stadium, Noblesville has Hare Chevrolet Stadium, and as of this month, Center Grove has the Ray Skillman Bleachers and Press Box.

Avon School Board President, Kim Woodward, says the partnerships are necessary thanks to property tax caps.

The district lost $5 million last year and estimates it has lost $20 to $30 million since the caps kicked in in 2010.

By the way, the Indiana School Board Association says it's okay for schools to turn to private donors and sell naming rights.